3 parties this weekend that just passed!
The first belonged to Chris' colleague. Her son turned one so she had a lunch party at TOTTs' bistro. Totts is a huge baking/cooking supplies shop at the end of Bukit Timah Road. It was pouring when we went. Party went ok, cupcakes were a hit!
The second party was in the afternoon. Caroline's eldest turned 6. Pizza and pasta party, ended off with cake and candles. Didn't stay late because she just had her 3rd son less than 3 weeks ago.
On Sunday, we had just 1 party to attend. This belonged to Madison's classmate, so Chris took her after her golf lesson. It was a 'Prince and Princess' dress up party too, so Grandma's fluffy white dresses finally got used. This party was the longest, started at noon and finished at 4pm!
Warni had the day off on Sunday too, so it was awfully busy just getting stuff done during the day. The grandparents came over for dinner as well. Pa and Geok did a competitive race in the morning too. Well done.. 10k for Pa and the half marathon for Geok.
This past weekend the final contents of the Novena house were moved out. It is officially a shell now. I think power is to be turned off sometime this week. I haven't been back there for almost a week! Have to remember to take some photos. Although we probably should have done that a month ago. We're obviously not terribly sentimental people.
Time is moving terribly fast. It's almost halfway through the year!
Monday, April 23, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Goodbye to Family home
It has officially begun.
Sunday my parents moved out of our family home of 26 years, and the movers shifted most of the stuff out.
Over the next few days more things will be taken out, including light fixtures and electrical appliances. Power will be turned off on Wednesday.
I'm not sure what will happen over the next few months (to ?1 year) as my parents have temporarily moved to G and MH's house. I don't know if they'd want 4 kids terrorizing their home everyday.
It's a little sad, saying goodbye to the home that we grew up in, and where our kids spent a few years too. But it's also exciting, looking forward to a bigger facility for everyone to use. I just hope it doesn't turn out to be a protracted construction nightmare. The Swimming club was supposed to be completed last year but is still a work in progress.
The other thing that's been on my mind is that of purchasing a piano. With this move, the current piano is to be moved to a makeshift kid play area at the office space near the Novena house. And as it is, Madison doesn't practice during weekends if we don't go over to the grandparents' home. Maybe it's time we considered having a piano at home if we are serious about her (and Annika) playing it for the longer term.
The only trouble with that is
1. cost ( I imagine they cost at least $5k? )
2. space! It's so big! ( we'd have to shift furniture around )
3. Maintenance. ( regular tuning? )
In other news... baby fever! C has delivered her 3rd,one friend is halfway through her 3rd pregnancy, another friend is actively TTC, and another is JUST pregnant. And it seems like half our apartment block has newborns or under 1s.
But now's not the right time for us. Chris HAS to clear his exams, and he has to go overseas next year for at least 6 months. I really don't want to be stuck with a newborn, a toddler and preschooler to look after by myself WHILE the grandparent's house is in shambles ( ie no place for the older 2 to run amok/stay over once in awhile ) and Chris is merrily away 'working' overseas!
As for Annika, seems like Bibinogs was a right decision. She loves going there, and already in 3 sessions has started picking up Mandarin words and can say her name. Amazing.
Anaesthesia at SGH is going so-so.. I still harbour thoughts of quitting but I shall persevere. What doesn't kill you will make you stronger, right? I have to see where it will take me. It must be going somewhere?
Sunday my parents moved out of our family home of 26 years, and the movers shifted most of the stuff out.
Over the next few days more things will be taken out, including light fixtures and electrical appliances. Power will be turned off on Wednesday.
I'm not sure what will happen over the next few months (to ?1 year) as my parents have temporarily moved to G and MH's house. I don't know if they'd want 4 kids terrorizing their home everyday.
It's a little sad, saying goodbye to the home that we grew up in, and where our kids spent a few years too. But it's also exciting, looking forward to a bigger facility for everyone to use. I just hope it doesn't turn out to be a protracted construction nightmare. The Swimming club was supposed to be completed last year but is still a work in progress.
The other thing that's been on my mind is that of purchasing a piano. With this move, the current piano is to be moved to a makeshift kid play area at the office space near the Novena house. And as it is, Madison doesn't practice during weekends if we don't go over to the grandparents' home. Maybe it's time we considered having a piano at home if we are serious about her (and Annika) playing it for the longer term.
The only trouble with that is
1. cost ( I imagine they cost at least $5k? )
2. space! It's so big! ( we'd have to shift furniture around )
3. Maintenance. ( regular tuning? )
In other news... baby fever! C has delivered her 3rd,one friend is halfway through her 3rd pregnancy, another friend is actively TTC, and another is JUST pregnant. And it seems like half our apartment block has newborns or under 1s.
But now's not the right time for us. Chris HAS to clear his exams, and he has to go overseas next year for at least 6 months. I really don't want to be stuck with a newborn, a toddler and preschooler to look after by myself WHILE the grandparent's house is in shambles ( ie no place for the older 2 to run amok/stay over once in awhile ) and Chris is merrily away 'working' overseas!
As for Annika, seems like Bibinogs was a right decision. She loves going there, and already in 3 sessions has started picking up Mandarin words and can say her name. Amazing.
Anaesthesia at SGH is going so-so.. I still harbour thoughts of quitting but I shall persevere. What doesn't kill you will make you stronger, right? I have to see where it will take me. It must be going somewhere?
Monday, April 9, 2012
Bibinogs
Annika finally started at Bibinogs last week.
After much consideration, I decided to pull her out of Joy Little and enrol her in a parent accompanied Mandarin and Tots class twice a week.
And she is so much happier for it!
Initially she was hesitant about the class, but once it started, she was enthusiastically clapping and singing along with the teachers!
Today she was so excited about going there, she got her schoolbag ready and wanted to carry it around while waiting for the rest of us to get ready.
Madison, on the other hand.. grrr.. totally driving me nuts in the morning.
Took FOREVER to eat breakfast. Fighting with Annika/ taking her stuff etc. Then out of the blue she decided to fling this hand held candy filled Thomas-the-tank engine toy across the living room. Of course the thing broke and out spilled all this multicoloured choke-risk beads of candy!
OMG. I was so pissed. We had like an hour to get everyone dressed, teeth brushed, clothes changed, breakfast done and she just had to do this.
I made her pick it all up and throw the stuff out. Then after that she starts fiddling with her terrapin and nearly spills it and it's water all over the floor.
Anyway... we managed to get everyone to school. Annika did great at Bibinogs. Although she does get bored quite quickly. And asks to go home. But once they start some interesting activity she quickly participates again. Of course come nap time she is knackered!
In other news... the grand old dame of dear Novena house is to be knocked down within the next weeks. That poses some child care issues, but I figure things will sort themselves out when it happens.
We've also had a change in tenant at our old apartment, and the new one wants furniture and fittings. How come I didn't think of that the first time and keep my old furniture??!! So dumb. So we had to make a trip to good ol' Ikea to pick some stuff up. And INSTALL the stuff. I thought "ooh.. would be fun to have the kids around while we set the furniture up!" Of course now I know better. Hindsight.
A good friend also delivered her 3rd boy over the past week. Super cute newborn. NO wonder they call it baby fever. When you look at the innocent small baby you inevitably think " should I? " Haha.. yes...for about 30 seconds... then the PTSD flashbacks of sleepless nights, endless boob feeding, daytime zombieness happen.. yikes... thanks, but no thanks! Why can't we skip all that and just go to 2 years old?
After much consideration, I decided to pull her out of Joy Little and enrol her in a parent accompanied Mandarin and Tots class twice a week.
And she is so much happier for it!
Initially she was hesitant about the class, but once it started, she was enthusiastically clapping and singing along with the teachers!
Today she was so excited about going there, she got her schoolbag ready and wanted to carry it around while waiting for the rest of us to get ready.
Madison, on the other hand.. grrr.. totally driving me nuts in the morning.
Took FOREVER to eat breakfast. Fighting with Annika/ taking her stuff etc. Then out of the blue she decided to fling this hand held candy filled Thomas-the-tank engine toy across the living room. Of course the thing broke and out spilled all this multicoloured choke-risk beads of candy!
OMG. I was so pissed. We had like an hour to get everyone dressed, teeth brushed, clothes changed, breakfast done and she just had to do this.
I made her pick it all up and throw the stuff out. Then after that she starts fiddling with her terrapin and nearly spills it and it's water all over the floor.
Anyway... we managed to get everyone to school. Annika did great at Bibinogs. Although she does get bored quite quickly. And asks to go home. But once they start some interesting activity she quickly participates again. Of course come nap time she is knackered!
In other news... the grand old dame of dear Novena house is to be knocked down within the next weeks. That poses some child care issues, but I figure things will sort themselves out when it happens.
We've also had a change in tenant at our old apartment, and the new one wants furniture and fittings. How come I didn't think of that the first time and keep my old furniture??!! So dumb. So we had to make a trip to good ol' Ikea to pick some stuff up. And INSTALL the stuff. I thought "ooh.. would be fun to have the kids around while we set the furniture up!" Of course now I know better. Hindsight.
A good friend also delivered her 3rd boy over the past week. Super cute newborn. NO wonder they call it baby fever. When you look at the innocent small baby you inevitably think " should I? " Haha.. yes...for about 30 seconds... then the PTSD flashbacks of sleepless nights, endless boob feeding, daytime zombieness happen.. yikes... thanks, but no thanks! Why can't we skip all that and just go to 2 years old?
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Sick kids, guilty mom
Why does motherhood have to be so guilt ridden?
This time it was because Annika came down with a high fever.
Last Thursday the kids slept over at the grandparents because Friday is SGH anaesthesia day.
Of course everyone is bouncing off the walls and absolutely FINE Thursday evening.
And of course I find out that Annika is running a high fever VIA SMS just as I am at my maximum stress.
Why? I get to SGH feeling a bit worried ( do they still need me anymore? they recently added to their MO head count!! )
Then the roster person takes a while to reply to my message telling me where to go for the day. Actually she replies "who is this?" to my message. Great. So I go up and look for her and she is all flustered trying to sort things out. So she tells me to go send the fella ALREADY at L8 to the day surgery(WHHHAT??I'd rather go to day surgery!!)
SO I get there and try to get ready. Of course the case turns out to be some cancer with neck dissections etc..argh! I start to panic. Have to wait for consultant to come and decide what they want to do.
And then the surgeons etc turn up but NO consultant anaesthetist. Panic more.
Of course in the end I manage to piss the consultant anaesthetist off( not my fault if he doesn't answer his phone ! )
Right in the midst of all this I get this sms that Annika is having a high fever so no school for her?
ACCK!!
Everything turned out ok in the end, Annika was sick but still happy, I got to put an arterial line in, played with the fibreoptic scope for like 2 minutes, and babysat the case till 5pm.
And yesterday was Madison's turn to fall ill. The fever's been pretty high.. she hasn't had a real fever for a few months now. Of course we hardly slept last night.
I'm getting a little tired of doing this anaesthesia thing, but I feel that I should persist. Otherwise why even start? There must be a greater meaning to it. It just sucks to go there so early every Friday, get screwed by some anaesthetist and feel generally tense. And then the kids have to sleep over Thursday night (which Madison LOVES).
Maybe they'll tell me soon that they don't need me to come in anymore. I keep thinking that'll happen anytime now. Especially since they have been sending out emails about new doctors joining them. Sigh.
This time it was because Annika came down with a high fever.
Last Thursday the kids slept over at the grandparents because Friday is SGH anaesthesia day.
Of course everyone is bouncing off the walls and absolutely FINE Thursday evening.
And of course I find out that Annika is running a high fever VIA SMS just as I am at my maximum stress.
Why? I get to SGH feeling a bit worried ( do they still need me anymore? they recently added to their MO head count!! )
Then the roster person takes a while to reply to my message telling me where to go for the day. Actually she replies "who is this?" to my message. Great. So I go up and look for her and she is all flustered trying to sort things out. So she tells me to go send the fella ALREADY at L8 to the day surgery(WHHHAT??I'd rather go to day surgery!!)
SO I get there and try to get ready. Of course the case turns out to be some cancer with neck dissections etc..argh! I start to panic. Have to wait for consultant to come and decide what they want to do.
And then the surgeons etc turn up but NO consultant anaesthetist. Panic more.
Of course in the end I manage to piss the consultant anaesthetist off( not my fault if he doesn't answer his phone ! )
Right in the midst of all this I get this sms that Annika is having a high fever so no school for her?
ACCK!!
Everything turned out ok in the end, Annika was sick but still happy, I got to put an arterial line in, played with the fibreoptic scope for like 2 minutes, and babysat the case till 5pm.
And yesterday was Madison's turn to fall ill. The fever's been pretty high.. she hasn't had a real fever for a few months now. Of course we hardly slept last night.
I'm getting a little tired of doing this anaesthesia thing, but I feel that I should persist. Otherwise why even start? There must be a greater meaning to it. It just sucks to go there so early every Friday, get screwed by some anaesthetist and feel generally tense. And then the kids have to sleep over Thursday night (which Madison LOVES).
Maybe they'll tell me soon that they don't need me to come in anymore. I keep thinking that'll happen anytime now. Especially since they have been sending out emails about new doctors joining them. Sigh.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Madison's 4th
I think I'm starting to get the hang of kids parties.
The first time I was really stressed, trying to get everything perfect.
We invited so many people, it was really a bit out of control.
This time, I waited till the last week to organise food and drink, and didn't even plan the decorations. The only "planning" I did was to get the chairs guy to deliver kids furniture for the event.
This time, we invited close friends with kids I knew would be keen to actually go swimming; last time none of the kids even went into the pool.
So I think it went great!
The kids started arriving just after 10 (as advised), the rainy weather stayed away so we had glorious sun the entire time.
The only thing I didn't realize was that it was seriously LABOURIOUS to grill 400 sticks of satay! I imagined in my head it would take a few minutes per batch, hence 400 didn't seem that daunting to me.
BUT.. I didn't realize the barbeque pit was NOT designed to mass cook satay! It took AGES to cook all of it, by which people had already left! ( so early! )
Still... the kids had fun in the pool ( which was the main thing anyway ), then they did finish most of the pre-cooked stuff: noodles ( that I cooked!), fishballs ( fresh from Whampoa market, boiled chipolatas and chicken pie (prepared by 'auntie Melba') and chicken parmesean cooked by Warni.
And the piece de resistance was undoubtedly THE CAKE ( if I may so brag!! )
Darn icing took over an hour just to do. I was sweating buckets in an airconditioned room trying to colour THEN roll out the silly fondant to a huge rectangle (iMPOSSIBLE!!)
And the cake itself! I baked 4 failed batches of mango cake before I called it quits and made a vanilla butter sponge! I wasted at least 8 eggs, 500g flour, 2 huge mangoes and close to 500 g of butter!
Lucky thing the theme was Nemo/Under the sea/fish/shark so I just hid the imperfections with seaweed/fish/coral!
We had just the right number of guests this time round, so I actually had time to sit down and chat with most of them. I'm always touched when people take out precious weekend time to come and attend the party, because I know how rare time off is.
Thank you to all my dear friends who came on Saturday... I'm so grateful you are part of my life!
1 down! 1 more to go!
The first time I was really stressed, trying to get everything perfect.
We invited so many people, it was really a bit out of control.
This time, I waited till the last week to organise food and drink, and didn't even plan the decorations. The only "planning" I did was to get the chairs guy to deliver kids furniture for the event.
This time, we invited close friends with kids I knew would be keen to actually go swimming; last time none of the kids even went into the pool.
So I think it went great!
The kids started arriving just after 10 (as advised), the rainy weather stayed away so we had glorious sun the entire time.
The only thing I didn't realize was that it was seriously LABOURIOUS to grill 400 sticks of satay! I imagined in my head it would take a few minutes per batch, hence 400 didn't seem that daunting to me.
BUT.. I didn't realize the barbeque pit was NOT designed to mass cook satay! It took AGES to cook all of it, by which people had already left! ( so early! )
Still... the kids had fun in the pool ( which was the main thing anyway ), then they did finish most of the pre-cooked stuff: noodles ( that I cooked!), fishballs ( fresh from Whampoa market, boiled chipolatas and chicken pie (prepared by 'auntie Melba') and chicken parmesean cooked by Warni.
And the piece de resistance was undoubtedly THE CAKE ( if I may so brag!! )
Darn icing took over an hour just to do. I was sweating buckets in an airconditioned room trying to colour THEN roll out the silly fondant to a huge rectangle (iMPOSSIBLE!!)
And the cake itself! I baked 4 failed batches of mango cake before I called it quits and made a vanilla butter sponge! I wasted at least 8 eggs, 500g flour, 2 huge mangoes and close to 500 g of butter!
Lucky thing the theme was Nemo/Under the sea/fish/shark so I just hid the imperfections with seaweed/fish/coral!
We had just the right number of guests this time round, so I actually had time to sit down and chat with most of them. I'm always touched when people take out precious weekend time to come and attend the party, because I know how rare time off is.
Thank you to all my dear friends who came on Saturday... I'm so grateful you are part of my life!
1 down! 1 more to go!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
4 years old!
4 years ago on this very day I delivered Madison.
It's so strange, that I can still remember how everything went that day. But from then till today things are already a little blurry. I can barely remember her as a toddler, much less a baby! Somehow between toddlerhood and Annika she just grew up.
Of course now we are dealing with different issues than before, and I'm sure there will be more. I hear primary school is a nightmare.
I don't know when my patience ran out... why is every morning such a struggle?
1. Getting her to eat breakfast at a pace faster than a snail takes to crawl across our living room
2. Getting her dressed for preschool
3. Getting her OFF the floor and OUT of the house in time.
4. Getting her to put on shoes
5. Getting her NOT to constantly fight with her sister while we are trying to get to the car
6. Trying to placate 2 kids wanting to listen to different music!
And days when Annika goes to playgroup is probably even worse. Because there are now 2 of them to deal with!
But it's pretty cool to see her develop. She can now reason somewhat with me and her interest in sharks and dinosaurs is unparalleled! I'm also touched that she knows how to give in to her sister SOME of the time.
Today I finally dropped Annika off to school. I was a bit nervous since previously Warni would accompany her for awhile before leaving. So we got to the front door, and her teacher walked up brightly and took her in. I said"bye!" and walked off. The look on her face was priceless! In between shock and horror?
Anyway, I waited outside for the shrieking to begin, but surprisingly it was rather calm!
So.. I'm bringing cake to school for Madison this morning, and will probably bring Elizabeth along to enjoy the party spirit. This weekend will be her pool party, and I think she's rather excited about it!
It's so strange, that I can still remember how everything went that day. But from then till today things are already a little blurry. I can barely remember her as a toddler, much less a baby! Somehow between toddlerhood and Annika she just grew up.
Of course now we are dealing with different issues than before, and I'm sure there will be more. I hear primary school is a nightmare.
I don't know when my patience ran out... why is every morning such a struggle?
1. Getting her to eat breakfast at a pace faster than a snail takes to crawl across our living room
2. Getting her dressed for preschool
3. Getting her OFF the floor and OUT of the house in time.
4. Getting her to put on shoes
5. Getting her NOT to constantly fight with her sister while we are trying to get to the car
6. Trying to placate 2 kids wanting to listen to different music!
And days when Annika goes to playgroup is probably even worse. Because there are now 2 of them to deal with!
But it's pretty cool to see her develop. She can now reason somewhat with me and her interest in sharks and dinosaurs is unparalleled! I'm also touched that she knows how to give in to her sister SOME of the time.
Today I finally dropped Annika off to school. I was a bit nervous since previously Warni would accompany her for awhile before leaving. So we got to the front door, and her teacher walked up brightly and took her in. I said"bye!" and walked off. The look on her face was priceless! In between shock and horror?
Anyway, I waited outside for the shrieking to begin, but surprisingly it was rather calm!
So.. I'm bringing cake to school for Madison this morning, and will probably bring Elizabeth along to enjoy the party spirit. This weekend will be her pool party, and I think she's rather excited about it!
Monday, March 5, 2012
Party Sunday
We were invited to 2 birthday parties just on Sunday alone!
Both happened to be neighbours as well.
The first was held at Fidgets at Turf city. We were there last year too. This time it was for Lynn's 4th. I think Madison had a great time. Last year she needed to be accompanied up and down the indoor playground, but this time she was off with Lynn.
Annika was invited too, and we were all set to take them both but right smack on Sunday morning she develops a fever.... when Madison got dressed and put on her socks to go, Annika went and put her monkey socks(her favourite socks!) on... I felt so sorry that she couldn't go! Of course she was crying and screaming when we left. We did however, get a goody bag for her. Of course it's like the best present ever now.
After we got back from the first party, we went downstairs so Madison could go for a swim. Of course it happens that preparations are in full swing for another party, and when the neighbour saw us he invited us to his daughter's 7th birthday!
This one was an eye opener! The usual suspects of cake, helium balloons and food AND.. a 3 hour magician show! 4 guys, 'theatre' backdrop, glitzy lights and a live bird! After 1 hour, I started wondering when the show was going to end... then the entertainers told the parents to start eating while they were entertaining...
After WE finished our meal they had a short break for the kids to eat.. then it continued!
At 8pm I took Annika upstairs to give her medicine and then came back down thinking the show would be over. It wasn't! Then they had cake cutting, complete with popping confetti! At that point I thought, ok.. get a slice and we can go home... but no! Pinata was next! The entertainers got the kids to go back into the function room, line up to take turns hitting the penguin pinata!
I didn't think Madison would want to participate, surprise surprise... she went back in. (groan) And she actually took a hit!
2 parties in 1 day. Without a nap the entire day.
But.. I had a peaceful night last night! (1 heavily medicated sick kid, 1 KO from an entire day of partying)
Both happened to be neighbours as well.
The first was held at Fidgets at Turf city. We were there last year too. This time it was for Lynn's 4th. I think Madison had a great time. Last year she needed to be accompanied up and down the indoor playground, but this time she was off with Lynn.
Annika was invited too, and we were all set to take them both but right smack on Sunday morning she develops a fever.... when Madison got dressed and put on her socks to go, Annika went and put her monkey socks(her favourite socks!) on... I felt so sorry that she couldn't go! Of course she was crying and screaming when we left. We did however, get a goody bag for her. Of course it's like the best present ever now.
After we got back from the first party, we went downstairs so Madison could go for a swim. Of course it happens that preparations are in full swing for another party, and when the neighbour saw us he invited us to his daughter's 7th birthday!
This one was an eye opener! The usual suspects of cake, helium balloons and food AND.. a 3 hour magician show! 4 guys, 'theatre' backdrop, glitzy lights and a live bird! After 1 hour, I started wondering when the show was going to end... then the entertainers told the parents to start eating while they were entertaining...
After WE finished our meal they had a short break for the kids to eat.. then it continued!
At 8pm I took Annika upstairs to give her medicine and then came back down thinking the show would be over. It wasn't! Then they had cake cutting, complete with popping confetti! At that point I thought, ok.. get a slice and we can go home... but no! Pinata was next! The entertainers got the kids to go back into the function room, line up to take turns hitting the penguin pinata!
I didn't think Madison would want to participate, surprise surprise... she went back in. (groan) And she actually took a hit!
2 parties in 1 day. Without a nap the entire day.
But.. I had a peaceful night last night! (1 heavily medicated sick kid, 1 KO from an entire day of partying)
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